The City of Fremantle has brushed off the suggested ramifications of moving its Australia Day festivities from January 26, telling the Federal Government that there’s precious little they can do about it.
After Freo decided to shift its patriotic celebrations to January 28 in deference to the Indigenous Australian community, Assistant Minister for Immigration Alex Hawke told the city it could lose its federally-mandated ability to hold citizenship ceremonies.
Hawke’s complaint was spurred by the perception that moving the “non-commercial, apolitical, partisan and secular” ceremonies from their traditional date January 26 could represent a “political, partisan or religious expression.”
However, the municipality released their own statement yesterday arvo, saying that citizenship ceremonies conducted during the One Day In Fremantle event won’t contravene any law:
“It is not a political rally or protest and also satisfies the conditions of being non-commercial, bipartisan and non-religious…“The city therefore believes holding citizenship ceremonies as part of this event is in compliance with the Australian Citizenship Act.”
The city also reiterated there’s no requirement whatsoever for the ceremonies to be held on January 26, saying they double-checked with the Department of Immigration back in October.
FWIW, One Day In Fremantle is going down at the Esplanade Reserve from 2pm to 8pm. John Butler, Dan Sultan and Mama Kin will be performing at the free event, and yes, there will 100% be fireworks.
Source: WA Today.
Photo: Ashley Feder / Getty.
